|
I will say this:
On my 2004 STI over a period of 4 years we ran:
STI coilovers(yep they made them)(made by KYB)
Ohlins fixed perch struts( we convinced Ohlins USA there wasa market here)
Ohlins coilovers
AST 3 ways
AST singles
WHITELINE Group-4( made by AST)
Bilstein PSS9
Moton CLubsports(we helped develop first application)
ZEAL(lets not talk about that)
Cusco Zero 2R(made by SHowa and probably the best JDM coilover)
RCE Tarmac II(based on KW Clubsport)
On my 2009 WRX I ran the following:
AST 4100's
RCE T2's(based on v3)
GTWORX/BILSTEINS 330lb RCE springs
JRZ RS(2 ways)
On my 2011 WRX we currently have:
GTWORX BILSTEINS
JRZ RS-1 coilovers
So far on my BRZ I have had:
stock shocks with yellows/protos and "other springs"
Prototype Tarmac II's
Prototype German made shocks that start with "B"(yep)
JRZ RS-1 coilovers
Testing soon: Ohlins and NITRON.
I say ALLLL of that to say this:
Shocks are like women. Each one does certain things VERY well. Some look good and perform well, some look like nothing special and yet outperform the best looking time after time. Some will do all things very good and dont complain and let you hang out with the guys.
You have to find the shock that works for you.
On a serios note,..each of these has a purpose and strength. Some are great for the track and some do better on the street. Some offer good warranty and above average performance and awesome resale.
In most cases its hard to compare apples to apples. So I'll be the first to admit the selection process isnt easy.
Then MOST pockets influence our decision and thats a SUPER slippery slope.
We have worked with most of these manufactures and each has a different approach to DAMPING and CONTROLLING the chassis. THATS the part most have the difficulty with because most people dont know what actually feels good and works in the chosen situation.
I am older now and I know for a FACT that I like something more forgiving NOW than I did 10 years ago. I can put on the racer hat and take a car through its paces and set it up. But that wont be my street choice, never. Even a car like a GT3 has its short comings in the damper department either a hair too hard on the street or a hair too soft on the track compared to a dedicated damper (or setting) for either extreme.
With that said....you have to know what you realistically want/need and most.....dont know that. Most seemingly from what I have read over the last 14 years on the forums......just want improved feel,lower stance and able to daily drive and track once a month.
Some are better for Autocross( out of the box) than for Road Race/track days.
The mid level dampers do most of this well with smart spring rate selection.
So you commit to a good shock( AST, BILSTEIN, JRZ, KW, KONI, OHLINS ) that you can afford to replace if you hit a curb or that cost the SAME as your power budget(yeah I went there) and learn how to set up your car.
Thats my .02 cents worth.
PS: there was no "data" in this post !
Myles
|